Ear Wax

[fruitsalad]

I went to see doctor as I have had a sore throat and earache for over a week, she said there was some inflammation in my throat then looked in my ears but couldn't see anything for wax, I brought some optrex to help clear it, but where does the wax go when using the drops

[RATTER15]

it just breaks down the wax and is washed out when washing I suppose, maybe a bit of drainage down the throat?

[Tilly2]

Fruitsalad, optrex is for eyes. Did you buy Otex? I believe the wax dissolves and drains away from your ears and eventually finds its way down your alimentary canal. I could be wrong though.

[Sqad]

RATTER is correct...the wax comes out of your ear during washing.

Unless the eardrum is perforated, the wax cannot drain down the throat or alimentary canal and even then the wax would need to go down the Eustachian tube ( tube between ear and throat) and that is impossible.

[Tilly2]

Oh, I thought it just drained away. Thank you, Sqad.

I do know that optrex is for eyes though.

[RATTER15]

I stand corrected on the throat bit.

You could also have the wax syringed out after the wax has been softened.

[Sqad]

Tilley ;-)
Of course the otex drops may not soften the wax enough for them to drain away and if this is the case, then she will need them syringing.

[fruitsalad]

Yes Tilly I meant otex lol

[EcclesCake]

As a side question to this, what is the recommended way of maintaining a healthy ear and managing wax build up? It is often said that you shouldn't put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear....so what is the advice for keeping your ears in good order?

[Tilly2]

Sqad, this is a serious question. Why is it that when I put drops in my ears I can eventually taste the drops at the back of my throat?

[Sqad]

Your ears don't need ANY special maintenance...........if wax builds up, then so be it......nothing you can do to stop it.

[Sqad]

Tilly....then there must be a perforation in one of your ears....it may even be as small as a pinprick.

[toalisi]

I've heard that ordinary olive oil is just as effective as Otex etc.

Should the oil be warmed and do you need a dropper to insert
it?

[Psybbo]

Does a perforation ever heal?

[Sqad]

Olive oil...hydrogen peroxide....otex.....equally as effective.

Temperature of the olive oil matters little, as does the method of insertion.

[Sqad]

Psybbo.....what a good question.

The answer is................................YES.

A perforation caused by a blow to the ear may heal without treatment.

[RATTER15]

Yes a perforation does heal, well mine did, I think it depends on the size of the perforation.

Olive oil, just pour it in, it flows better if a little warm.

[berniecuddles]

had my ears syringed twice in 18 months nurse who done them for me told me do not use otex ear drops,but put in drops of warm olive oil instead to soften the wax up it works!

[Psybbo]

Thank you, Sqad, apologies for the interruption Fruitsalad